2007 Archives
Remarks by Richard W. Nelson
Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy, Yaounde
Swearing-In Ceremony for New Peace Corps Volunteers
Bangangte, West Province
Wednesday August 22, 2007
- Representatives of the Ministry of Secondary Education and the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts
- Honorable Senior Divisional Officer and Divisional Officer
- The Honorable Mayor of the Urban Council of Bangangte
- Host families, and people of Bangangte
- Peace Corps-Cameroon Director James Ham, and other Peace Corps Officials
- Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
On October 14, 1960, Senator (and presidential candidate) John F. Kennedy stood on the steps of the University of Michigan Student Union and delivered what he called the “longest short speech” he ever made, challenging the students there to serve their country in the cause of peace by giving two years of their lives to help people in countries of the developing world by living and working among them.
Since then, inspired by President Kennedy’s admonition that “for those to whom much is given, much is required,” more than 187,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 countries all over the globe.
Although it was President Kennedy who coined the name “Peace Corps,” and launched its operation after taking office, the idea had been proposed by various congressmen since the end of World War II, seeking to tap into the deep spring of volunteerism that infects so many Americans in one form or another. But it was Kennedy’s famous exhortation to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” that inspired a new generation of Americans to serve in the interest of peace and development where the need was greatest.
Today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development, and committing more than 1,000 new Volunteers as part of President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.
The Peace Corps sent its first missions to Africa, and Peace Corps Cameroon was the second program launched in Africa, after Ghana. The first group of Volunteers arrived Cameroon in September 1962, and today we celebrate 45 years of continuous service by the Peace Corps in Cameroon, with the swearing-in of 36 new Education and Small Enterprise Development Volunteers.
It is one of the largest programs in all of Africa. All told, about 3,000 Volunteers have served in Cameroon, to foster numerous projects on community development, cooperative fish culture, education, health and agriculture. The Peace Corps is now operating with 127 Volunteers (including this group) in four different programs – education, small enterprise development, agro-forestry and health – posted in all ten provinces of Cameroon.
The education program, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Secondary Education, posts Volunteers to teach in secondary schools, teacher training institutions or universities. The small enterprise development program works with the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts, and with rural banks and cooperatives.
Today, 21 education trainees in computer science, science, and English, and 15 trainees in small business development, are taking their oaths to become Peace Corps Volunteers. This group has undergone ten weeks of community-based training here in Bangangte, living with local families. They received a spectrum of instruction that included language, cross-cultural awareness, technical expertise and medical training. In addition, all Volunteers in Cameroon integrate HIV/AIDS education in their activities in the field.
I want to thank the Government of Cameroon, and in particular the community of Bangangte and the people of the West Province, for their steadfast support of Peace Corps training. I know that this same message was delivered by none other than the Director of the Peace Corps himself, the Honorable James Tschetter, during his visit to Bangangte in June of this year, when he spent a night with a host family here. This spirit of community integration is exhibited at all levels of Peace Corps involvement with the people of Cameroon.
This occasion also gives us an opportunity to reinforce the commitment of Peace Corps Volunteers, and the important role they play as ambassadors of American goodwill in their local communities. Many or all of you know that our former Ambassador, His Excellency Niels Marquardt, who just in the past few days arrived at his new post in Madagascar, was himself a former Peace Corps Volunteer.
What you may not know, however, is that a former Peace Corps Volunteer right here in Cameroon is frequently in the news these days. Ambassador Christopher Hill, the Assistant Secretary of State of East Asian Affairs in Washington, has been busy in the last several years negotiating a solution to the situation involving North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. It is fair to say that he learned a great deal about how to interact with people from different cultures during his years here in Cameroon. Someday, the Volunteers taking their oaths here today may make a similar mark on the world stage.
To the new volunteers, I congratulate you for joining a very special organization in American history. In placing great trust in you as you perform your functions, we at the U.S. Embassy also offer our full support, respect, and gratitude. And may I say that you are lucky to have such an opportunity to see and come to know this beautiful country!
In conclusion, throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to the issues of the times. In an ever-changing world, Peace Corps Volunteers meet new challenges with innovation, creativity, determination, and compassion. These are the qualities that have allowed, and continue to allow, the Peace Corps to achieve its vital mission.
It is our hope that the efforts of the Peace Corps in Cameroon will continue to be a great benefit to this country. But even more than that, we hope that the Volunteers will inspire young Cameroonians to commit themselves to serving their country with the same dedication and purpose.
Thank you for the privilege of participating in this wonderful event with you today, and thank you for your kind attention.